All information presented below (text and images) can be used freely, without HMMD's written permission, for any media bodies but only for purposes relating to the "RED SQUARE TOLERANCE PAVILION" competition. 

Please note: full presentation boards (plans, sections, diagrams, 3d perspectives and elevations) and official jury comments can be found herePlease contact us to request images in large resolution.





PROJECT STATEMENT:

Tolerance: A Fair, objective and permissive attitude towards opinions and practices that differ from one’s own.

Mapping Tolerance

How to transform something as abstract as tolerance into a physical object? Setting out to capture the essence of tolerance, we came to the conclusion that tolerance often has to do with being informed. Informed about the fact that the world is a kaleidoscope of values and beliefs, informed about the mechanisms of fear out mind falls back on when facing the unknown. Intolerance goes hand in hand with having little contact with, or knowledge of, cultures or groups of a different background. It is easy to avoid questioning one’s set assumptions of the world, and to keep repeating old patterns of thought.

We see the tolerance pavilion as a way of informing the public, and a way of inviting people to take a moment to think about their attitudes. Tolerance transforms from a mental barrier into a physical one that pushes for self-reflection. The pavilion is placed axially in the middle across Red Square, taking a powerful stand between Lenin’s tomb and the department store GUM; monuments of socialism and capitalism. The pavilion is split into six separate entities, their outlines following the lines painted on the pavement of the Res Square. Walking from one side of the square to the other, one inevitably comes into contact with the pavilion.

Confronting Prejudice

Through the transparent end walls of the pavilion boxes, passers-by get a glimpse of changing art exhibitions and happenings inside. The largest gap between the pavilion boxes serves as an outdoor performance space. Connected to this little plaza, there is a library, open to anyone wanting to expand his or her knowledge in the field of tolerance.

Entering the pavilion the visitor’s expectation and prejudices are confronted – the inside of the pavilion boxes differs dramatically from their outside form. Appearing to the comprised of simple boxes at a first glance, inside the pavilion transforms into a cave like structure, with irregular protruding walls bathed in coloured light. This gives an indication of how easy it is to judge a book by its cover. Most often matters are more complex than they first appear to be.

New Perspective

Inside the pavilion the transparent, colourful acrylic plates of differing lengths allow for an unusual perspective of the surrounding square. What you see is a distorted reality. People’s perception of the world around them is coloured by their personal experiences. We give the visitors new colours and angles to challenge their rooted views of the world.

Seen through the translucent walls of the pavilion people become silhouettes. All information pointing to a person’s race, religion, sexual orientation or financial status is removed. In our core, we are all human and equal.











.. see full presentation

Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Enter Architecture Competitions

Curious about the value of architecture competitions? Discover the transformative power they can have on your career - from igniting creativity and turning designs into reality, to gaining international recognition.

Learn more